Weather

From extreme weather and droughts to lightning and heat waves, this is the latest science on what's happening in the atmosphere right above your head.

Latest in Weather

A child stands by a collapsed road caused by flooding waters due to heavy rains following Cyclone Freddy in Blantyre, Malawi, on March 13, 2023.

Environment

Deadly Cyclone Freddy could be the longest tropical cyclone on record Deadly Cyclone Freddy could be the longest tropical cyclone on record

By Laura Baisas

California National Guard members in safety vests and hard hats checking on houses and people buried in snow

Environment

Joint Task Force Rattlesnake is rescuing snowbound Californians Joint Task Force Rattlesnake is rescuing snowbound Californians

By Nicholas Slayton / Task & Purpose

A stinky, 5,000-mile-long wad of seaweed is about to gunk up Florida’s beaches

Animals

A stinky, 5,000-mile-long wad of seaweed is about to gunk up Florida’s beaches A stinky, 5,000-mile-long wad of seaweed is about to gunk up Florida’s beaches

By Sara Kiley Watson

Powerful atmospheric river pummels California with even more rain and flooding

Climate Change

Powerful atmospheric river pummels California with even more rain and flooding Powerful atmospheric river pummels California with even more rain and flooding

By Sara Kiley Watson

A pine tree in Clark County, Washington damaged by the 2021 heat wave. The trees in the background are scorched Douglas-fir.

Climate Change

Even the cool forests of the Pacific Northwest face the danger of extreme heat Even the cool forests of the Pacific Northwest face the danger of extreme heat

By Sarah Trent / High Country News

What ancient tsunamis can teach us about future disasters

Environment

What ancient tsunamis can teach us about future disasters What ancient tsunamis can teach us about future disasters

By Nathaniel Scharping / Hakai Magazine

A sign warning of snow and ice conditions, reading " Winter Storm Warning in Effect until 6 pm" is seen on a highway in St. Paul, Minnesota, on February 22, 2022.

Environment

Coast-to-coast storm causing extreme weather across the country Coast-to-coast storm causing extreme weather across the country

By Laura Baisas

A tractor in Argentina drives over a dry and dusty soybean field with a blazing sun.

Agriculture

La Niña is exacerbating drought conditions for millions La Niña is exacerbating drought conditions for millions

By Laura Baisas

An open-celled cloud formation west of Chile.

Environment

IBM’s AI has a new job: sorting through NASA’s giant stream of Earth and weather images IBM’s AI has a new job: sorting through NASA’s giant stream of Earth and weather images

By Briley Lewis

What it takes to build and maintain Alaska’s icy highways

Environment

What it takes to build and maintain Alaska’s icy highways What it takes to build and maintain Alaska’s icy highways

By Victoria Petersen / High Country News

Persisting winter storm conditions bring snow, tornadoes, and thunder to Eastern US

Environment

Persisting winter storm conditions bring snow, tornadoes, and thunder to Eastern US Persisting winter storm conditions bring snow, tornadoes, and thunder to Eastern US

By Laura Baisas

A Cold War spy plane now tracks humanity’s greatest threat for NASA

Aviation

A Cold War spy plane now tracks humanity’s greatest threat for NASA A Cold War spy plane now tracks humanity’s greatest threat for NASA

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

Lighting bolts across hills during thunderstorm

Environment

Swiss scientists successfully used lasers to divert lightning bolts Swiss scientists successfully used lasers to divert lightning bolts

A lost temple for Poseidon may have finally been rediscovered

Archaeology

A lost temple for Poseidon may have finally been rediscovered A lost temple for Poseidon may have finally been rediscovered

By Sara Kiley Watson

There are rivers in the sky—and one is causing raging rain over California

Climate Change

There are rivers in the sky—and one is causing raging rain over California There are rivers in the sky—and one is causing raging rain over California

By Sarah Trent / High Country News

Rain, storms, and mudslides batter California

Climate Change

Rain, storms, and mudslides batter California Rain, storms, and mudslides batter California

By Laura Baisas

A flooded roadway in San Carolos, California

Climate Change

Strong storms and strange weather patterns sweep the US Strong storms and strange weather patterns sweep the US

By Laura Baisas

A guide to the world of mud volcanoes

Environment

A guide to the world of mud volcanoes A guide to the world of mud volcanoes

By Michael R. Hudec/The Conversation

‘Snowball Earth’ was crushing and cold. What animals could survive it?

Animals

‘Snowball Earth’ was crushing and cold. What animals could survive it? ‘Snowball Earth’ was crushing and cold. What animals could survive it?

By Chris Baraniuk / Hakai Magazine

Extreme cold is blasting half the US this weekend

Climate Change

Extreme cold is blasting half the US this weekend Extreme cold is blasting half the US this weekend

By Laura Baisas

Ferndale California downtown before a 6.4-magnitude earthquake

Environment

Large earthquake knocks out power for thousands in Northern California Large earthquake knocks out power for thousands in Northern California

By Laura Baisas

What more rain in the Arctic means for people, ecosystems, and wildlife

Animals

What more rain in the Arctic means for people, ecosystems, and wildlife What more rain in the Arctic means for people, ecosystems, and wildlife

By Matthew L. Druckenmiller, Et al. / The Conversation

A map of a massive storm system moving across the United States. December 13, 2022.

Environment

Stormy weather brings tornadoes and blizzards across the US Stormy weather brings tornadoes and blizzards across the US

By Laura Baisas

The world’s largest active volcano simmers down after eruption

Environment

The world’s largest active volcano simmers down after eruption The world’s largest active volcano simmers down after eruption

By Laura Baisas

Pink snow spells serious trouble for water in the western US

Climate Change

Pink snow spells serious trouble for water in the western US Pink snow spells serious trouble for water in the western US

By Kylie Mohr / High Country News

The seafloor holds a history of hurricanes—and could map out their future

Climate Change

The seafloor holds a history of hurricanes—and could map out their future The seafloor holds a history of hurricanes—and could map out their future

By Tyler Winkler / The Conversation

Mauna Loa lava flow

Environment

The world’s largest active volcano is erupting in Hawaii The world’s largest active volcano is erupting in Hawaii

By Laura Baisas

Snow in Buffalo, NY

Climate Change

Why Buffalo got so much snow last weekend Why Buffalo got so much snow last weekend

By Michael A. Rawlins / The Conversation

Aftershocks hit Indonesia after deadly 5.6-magnitude earthquake

Environment

Aftershocks hit Indonesia after deadly 5.6-magnitude earthquake Aftershocks hit Indonesia after deadly 5.6-magnitude earthquake

By Laura Baisas

We’re only 8 years away from stronger El Niño and La Niña events

Climate Change

We’re only 8 years away from stronger El Niño and La Niña events We’re only 8 years away from stronger El Niño and La Niña events

By Laura Baisas

gray puffy clouds cover the sky

Climate Change

The ocean’s iodine helps create clouds, but high levels burn through the ozone layer The ocean’s iodine helps create clouds, but high levels burn through the ozone layer

By Tatyana Woodall

Wildfire smoke from across continents is changing the Arctic Ocean’s makeup

Climate Change

Wildfire smoke from across continents is changing the Arctic Ocean’s makeup Wildfire smoke from across continents is changing the Arctic Ocean’s makeup

By Brian Owens / Hakai Magazine

Tropical Storm Nicole nears hurricane status as it hurtles toward eastern Florida

Environment

Tropical Storm Nicole nears hurricane status as it hurtles toward eastern Florida Tropical Storm Nicole nears hurricane status as it hurtles toward eastern Florida

By Laura Baisas

Hurricane Ian shows how older populations are especially vulnerable during disasters

Climate Change

Hurricane Ian shows how older populations are especially vulnerable during disasters Hurricane Ian shows how older populations are especially vulnerable during disasters

By Judith Graham / KFF Health News

Tonga volcano eruption over land and water

Environment

Tonga survived the largest volcanic plume in the planet’s history this year Tonga survived the largest volcanic plume in the planet’s history this year

By Laura Baisas

Houses underwater from massive flooding

AI

Google expands AI warning system for fire and flood alerts Google expands AI warning system for fire and flood alerts

Fallen autumn leaves on the windshield of a car

DIY

How to keep your car clean all autumn long How to keep your car clean all autumn long

By Peter Nelson / The Drive

Mountain lions in Los Angeles face the heat of worsening wildfires

Animals

Mountain lions in Los Angeles face the heat of worsening wildfires Mountain lions in Los Angeles face the heat of worsening wildfires

By Noah Schlager / High Country News

Historic drought brings eerie objects and seawater to the surface of the Mississippi River

Climate Change

Historic drought brings eerie objects and seawater to the surface of the Mississippi River Historic drought brings eerie objects and seawater to the surface of the Mississippi River

By Laura Baisas

Animals

A swarm of honeybees can have the same electrical charge as a storm cloud A swarm of honeybees can have the same electrical charge as a storm cloud

By Laura Baisas

Hurricane Roslyn

Environment

Category 3 Hurricane Roslyn hit Mexico with landslides, flash flooding, and strong winds Category 3 Hurricane Roslyn hit Mexico with landslides, flash flooding, and strong winds

By Laura Baisas

Firefighting crews entering the Nakia Creek fire zone on Monday.

Climate Change

Nakia Creek wildfire forces evacuations during record-breaking heat spell in the Pacific Northwest Nakia Creek wildfire forces evacuations during record-breaking heat spell in the Pacific Northwest

By Laura Baisas

A flooded field

Agriculture

How disastrous floods can also lead to food insecurity How disastrous floods can also lead to food insecurity

By Laura Baisas

Wildland firefighters face another danger—an increased risk of long COVID

Climate Change

Wildland firefighters face another danger—an increased risk of long COVID Wildland firefighters face another danger—an increased risk of long COVID

By Miles W. Griffis / High Country News

Rain storms have gotten more intense across most of the US

Climate Change

Rain storms have gotten more intense across most of the US Rain storms have gotten more intense across most of the US

By Laura Baisas

La Niña hits Sydney with record-breaking rain

Climate Change

La Niña hits Sydney with record-breaking rain La Niña hits Sydney with record-breaking rain

By Laura Baisas

falling water levels on the rhine near cologne august 2022

Climate Change

Hotter summers are baking the water out of soil at unprecedented rates Hotter summers are baking the water out of soil at unprecedented rates

By Laura Baisas

Dinosaur-killing asteroid created a tsunami with 2-mile-high waves

Animals

Dinosaur-killing asteroid created a tsunami with 2-mile-high waves Dinosaur-killing asteroid created a tsunami with 2-mile-high waves

By Laura Baisas

A person standing on a rock by the water under cloudy skies while looking at his phone—hopefully he has a good weather app.

DIY

The best weather apps you can put on your phone The best weather apps you can put on your phone

a downed electricity pole after a storm

Climate Change

Renewable energy could be the key to hurricane-proofing Puerto Rico’s power grid Renewable energy could be the key to hurricane-proofing Puerto Rico’s power grid

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

Hurricane Ian Category 1 Carolina coast satellite image

Climate Change

Hurricane Ian surges back and heads for the Carolinas Hurricane Ian surges back and heads for the Carolinas

By Purbita Saha

Category 4 Hurricane Ian hits Florida, bringing historic storm surge

Climate Change

Category 4 Hurricane Ian hits Florida, bringing historic storm surge Category 4 Hurricane Ian hits Florida, bringing historic storm surge

By Laura Baisas

Hurricane Ian flooding in Fort Myers, Forida, seen from above

Environment

What hurricane categories mean, and why we use them What hurricane categories mean, and why we use them

By Mary Beth Griggs

Forecasters warn Floridians to prepare for rapidly intensifying Hurricane Ian

Environment

Forecasters warn Floridians to prepare for rapidly intensifying Hurricane Ian Forecasters warn Floridians to prepare for rapidly intensifying Hurricane Ian

By Laura Baisas

Sunset on a prairie with a flock of birds silhouetted against the sky.

Animals

This fall, use weather data to see when birds are migrating near you This fall, use weather data to see when birds are migrating near you

By Philip Kiefer

Hurricane Fiona to make historic landfall in Canada

Environment

Hurricane Fiona to make historic landfall in Canada Hurricane Fiona to make historic landfall in Canada

By Laura Baisas

Typhoon Nanmadol slams into Japan with record breaking rain

Environment

Typhoon Nanmadol slams into Japan with record breaking rain Typhoon Nanmadol slams into Japan with record breaking rain

By Laura Baisas

Typhoon Merbok breaks records as it lashes the Alaskan coast

Environment

Typhoon Merbok breaks records as it lashes the Alaskan coast Typhoon Merbok breaks records as it lashes the Alaskan coast

By Laura Baisas

Groundwater pumps like this one deliver water from below to farms in Bangladesh.

Agriculture

Farmers accidentally created a flood-resistant ‘machine’ across Bangladesh Farmers accidentally created a flood-resistant ‘machine’ across Bangladesh

Photo of wildfires covering mountains with residential area below it

Climate Change

New federal mapping tool brings climate resiliency to everyday Americans New federal mapping tool brings climate resiliency to everyday Americans

Gray clouds in sky.

Climate Change

Is ‘cloud seeding’ actually helping fight drought? Is ‘cloud seeding’ actually helping fight drought?

people sit on a makeshift raft and row down flooded streets in pakistan

Climate Change

How climate change fed Pakistan’s devastating floods How climate change fed Pakistan’s devastating floods

By Jocelyn Solis-Moreira

A rare tropical storm will skirt by the Southwest, just days after historic heatwave

Environment

A rare tropical storm will skirt by the Southwest, just days after historic heatwave A rare tropical storm will skirt by the Southwest, just days after historic heatwave

By Laura Baisas

Components from the board game Promesa.

Agriculture

You’ll need to solve Puerto Rico’s debt crisis to win this new board game You’ll need to solve Puerto Rico’s debt crisis to win this new board game

By Maria Parazo Rose